Deadly Games

by Mary Stone

  The woman repositioned her gun, one of those sickening smiles slitting across her face. “I have an answer for you. For you and your whore mother. I—”

  The screen door flew open so hard it slapped against the house with a sound almost as loud as a bullet leaving a gun.

  Kylie jumped, and Christina whirled just as Rhonda came rushing out the door, a cast iron skillet in her hand.

  Kylie was frozen to the spot, but only for a moment. She leapt at the woman’s back just as Storm flew from the open doorway. The dog knocked Christina off balance, and the gun roared, the bullet fatally wounding the wooden red chicken hanging over the door.

  The next few seconds appeared to be in slow motion. Christina was falling under the dog’s heavy weight. Linc came rushing up as the gun roared off another blast. Kylie screamed as he was blown backwards, almost like he’d run into a wall of glass.

  It was Kylie’s mother who saved them all from another bullet. Bringing the cast iron skillet down as hard as she could, she slammed the heavy pan down on the hand holding the gun. The crunching of broken bones was followed by Christina’s bloodcurdling scream. That scream was cut short when Storm’s wide jaws clamped down on her throat.

  Rhonda pried the gun from the woman’s mangled hand, holding it with two fingers, as if it was contaminated. She stood that way, as if uncertain what to do.

  Adrenaline pulsed through Kylie’s system as she took in the scene. Linc was moving, blood blooming on his shoulder. Christina was neutralized, but were there more bad guys lurking in the dark? Had this terrible woman brought backup with her? Were they all still in danger?

  Feeling more like a target than she’d ever felt, Kylie grabbed the shotgun from where it rested on the porch railing and turned, scouting the area. She had to protect her family.

  Eyes moving from shadow to shadow, she held the gun at the ready as she headed toward where Linc was now sitting, leaning up against the house. There was so much blood, but he was awake. He gritted his teeth and looked down at himself. “Shit,” he said. “Another fucking shoulder wound.”

  She gushed out a relieved sigh. She’d survived one of those. So would he.

  Ripping her sweatshirt over her head, she pressed it to the wound, her eyes still scanning the area for any other immediate danger. “It could’ve been a lot worse.”

  He winced as he tried to move. “Could’ve been a lot better too. Like me not getting shot.” His eyes trailed over to the inferno. “And shit…my barn. My grandfather built that barn. We’ve got to make sure—”

  “Shhh,” she soothed. He was getting too worked up, not focusing on the fact he’d saved her, again. Well, him and her mother and Storm. Where was Vader? “I’ll help you rebuild it.”

  When the wails of the sirens reached her ears, Kylie felt like she might burst into hysterical sobs. Then, she really did cry as Vader came limping across the porch. He looked okay, if a little unsteady.

  Kylie patted her thigh. “Here, boy. Good boy.”

  But the big dog didn’t pay her any attention. He limped over to where Christina lay, Storm still at her throat.

  Then he lifted his leg and peed directly on her chest.

  Yes. Good boy, indeed.

  32

  This was insane.

  Linc had been in bed for the past week, except for the occasional bathroom break. Under Kylie’s very bossy direction, he hadn’t so much as been able to go downstairs and make himself his own food. All he’d been doing was staring at the ceiling since he was released from the hospital five days ago.

  He’d told her he was fine, but she insisted otherwise.

  It brought new meaning to the phrase “stir-crazy.”

  And she was constantly starting every conversation with the same thing: “When I had my bullet to the shoulder…” As if he hadn’t sustained a bullet first, on the field in Syria. And as if her injury now made her an expert on all parts of his life.

  This was all completely unnecessary.

  But if he was admitting it, kind of nice too. He liked when she’d bring him breakfast in bed, insist on feeding him his waffles, since Eggos were the only thing she really could make. He liked that she was babying him. Mostly because he felt her love for him in everything she did. She’d been so worried for him that she’d barely left his side all week.

  That was nice, considering Kylie had always been kind of like a wild animal—impossible to tame, constantly flitting from thing to thing, seeking out what made her happy.

  That she’d stayed put with him all this time?

  Maybe she’d finally found it.

  So, there was no question in his mind that this was the day. He’d get out of bed and not look back. He wanted to make it special, though, and at least be freshly showered and shaved before he made the attempt. So, while she was downstairs, getting his lunch, he dragged himself into the shower, got himself changed, and was waiting for her on the edge of the bed when she brought up the tray.

  She stopped in the doorway, holding on to his soup and grilled cheese. “You shouldn’t have! I could’ve helped you.”

  “I’m fine, sweetheart. It’s time I get out of my bed for good.”

  Her lips twisted as she set the tray down on the bed next to him. “When I—”

  He put a finger on her lips. “I know. But you’re you. And I’m me. Face it, we’re not the same.”

  Her lower lip jutted out in a pout.

  Standing, Linc’s heart started to pound as he reached into his pocket.

  “Kylie,” he began, his voice so thick with emotion that he had to clear his throat. “I love you, and I know that you love me.”

  Her eyes grew wide, her hands flying to her mouth. “Linc…”

  He bulldozed on. “Kylie Hatfield, I think you know what’s in my heart, and I think you know what’s been on my mind. And if you’ll stay in one place long enough for me to ask, I have a question for you.” Turning his hand over, he held out the key to his house. “Move in with me.”

  She looked…disappointed.

  The hammering in his chest picked up speed as she just stood there, looking at his palm.

  “Kylie?”

  This was a mistake. It was too early, he knew. It wasn’t like she hadn’t given him every hint in the world that she wasn’t ready for something so committed.

  He closed his palm, ready to make a joke and pretend he was just kidding, when she looked up at him. Confusion and something else she couldn’t name was written across her face. She began to move, but not toward the door like he first feared.

  She went straight to his armoire.

  Then began tossing his things on the floor.

  A second later, she turned, the satin box in her hand. “What about this?”

  He swallowed. She knew?

  “I—”

  Before he could say more, she stalked back to him. “Is this a ring?”

  So, she didn’t know? She hadn’t looked?

  He only nodded, not knowing what she was thinking. Tears filled her eyes, and she did the last thing he’d expected. Kylie Hatfield sank to one knee, holding the box out to him.

  “Will you please give me this ring in addition to that key?”

  Linc Coulter felt like his entire body had turned to concrete. He couldn’t move. Couldn’t think. At least until one of those tears trailed down Kylie’s cheek.

  That brought him out of his paralysis.

  “Are you sure?”

  Love was like a living thing in her eyes. “Very sure.”

  Sinking to one knee in front of her, he took the box from her hand. Kylie stayed there, still on one knee too. Which was actually perfect. Two people on the same level.

  “Kylie, I know we’ve only known each other a few months, but—”

  “Yes.”

  He smiled, relief and love flooding his chest, but he wasn’t done yet. “You drive me crazy, in the very best possible ways. You’ve pushed me to the brink of insanity and then yanked me back, a better man.”

/>   Kylie looked like she was about to burst. Into tears. Into laughter. What he didn’t spot in all that sea of emotion was fear.

  He still wasn’t done.

  “I love you, and there is no one else but you I want to do life with. Will you—?”

  “Yes.”

  “Will you let me finish?”

  She laughed, more tears breaking free from the movement. “Yes.”

  He laughed and opened the box. For the first time, her gaze left his as her eyes dropped to the ring. “Oh…” It was the only sound she was able to make. It was enough.

  She loved it. He knew from the moment he’d seen it in the store window that he’d never find another ring more perfect for this precious woman, or one that would match how they’d been brought together.

  The two-carat stone was topped with three smaller diamonds, and when you looked at it just right, it resembled a dog’s paw.

  For the first time in a long time, she was speechless, her lip trembling from a hurricane of emotion he could tell she could barely suppress.

  “Kylie Hatfield, will you marry me?”

  She was already lunging at him as she shouted, “Yes!”

  He couldn’t stop the wince of pain as she plowed him onto the floor, forgetting his injury. “Oh!” she said, loosening her grip.

  He adjusted her arms around him and hugged her close, kissing her until neither of them were able to breathe. Still lying on the floor, he took the ring from the case and slipped it onto her finger.

  “It’s beautiful,” she whispered. “It’s just what I would’ve picked out if I’d had a million rings to choose from. It’s absolutely perfect.”

  He kissed her again. “I just happened to spot it in a window not long ago, and even though I knew it was too early, I went ahead and bought it because I couldn’t let it get away.”

  She laughed. “A week ago, I would have thought it would be too early too. I was actually terrified of being in a committed relationship because I was so scared I’d somehow inherited my father’s inability to commit, but…”

  “But?” Linc prompted.

  “As crazy as it all went down, finding my dad was wonderful because I realized that he really did try to do what he felt was best. It kind of released that fear in me.” She softly kissed his shoulder. “And the fact that you once again proved that you’d do anything for me, well, I just couldn’t see the sense in not embracing the love that was right in front of me.”

  They laid on the rug, just holding each other for a long time, talking about a wedding and how she wanted her mom to give her away.

  They didn’t stop talking until the dogs started barking and the sound of a vehicle on gravel made Kylie shoot up.

  “Oh…I forgot. Jacob is coming. I was going to tell you that before…” she waved her left hand around, the diamonds sparkling, “this.”

  Leaving the cold sandwich and soup on the tray, they headed downstairs and reached the front porch just as the first car door slammed shut.

  “I’m nervous,” Kylie said, running her fingers through her hair.

  Linc wrapped his good arm around her shoulder. “You look perfect, and everything will be all right. Promise.”

  She smiled. “Thank you.” The smile faded as her father slipped out of the vehicle.

  He was surrounded by Jacob and Faith, and he looked stoic as he climbed the stairs to join them.

  William…Adam…had insisted upon seeing his daughter one last time, and the FBI had agreed to it.

  It was because of William Hatfield that she’d become the target of the mafia. But William Hatfield had received a reduced sentence because of his cooperation in the case, and the members of the DeRoss family had all been taken into custody. The Colombo family was weakening by the day, and it was all because of her father.

  He and Rhonda had met earlier and had agreed to an amicable divorce, and now he was on his way to New York to face his sentence. The entire family’s assets had been frozen, so it looked like no one would be an heir to his fortune.

  Which was fine.

  Kylie had everything she needed right here. She petted Vader when his cold nose nudged her hand. Poor guy had gotten a concussion but was doing much better.

  “Hi,” William Hatfield said, and Kylie wondered if this would be the last time she ever saw him.

  She’d overheard Jacob telling Link that her father was probably still in danger. Though the Feds would keep him in protective custody until all the trials were finished, he’d eventually have to serve his time in prison, and there, he’d be a target to his enemies.

  “Hi,” Kylie managed in return.

  “I’m sorry,” he said. “For leaving you and for putting you through all this. I never wanted this for you or your mother.”

  She smiled through her sadness and nodded. “I know. You tried to protect us.”

  William scratched at his jaw. “I did but did it poorly. I should have added more to that letter. I should have asked her to change her name back to her maiden name. I should have tried harder, but as the years went by and you two appeared to be safe, it became easier and less painful to forget that my previous life ever really happened.”

  “One minute,” Faith said from behind them.

  It was time for him to go.

  Kylie had two options. She could kick her father in the nuts and push him off the porch. Or…she could do the one thing she’d longed for all this time.

  Heart pounding in her ears, Kylie took a step forward and wrapped her arms around her father’s waist. She closed her eyes when his arms went around her for a hug that was twenty-four years in the making.

  She breathed him in, wanting all her senses engaged so she could remember this moment for all of eternity.

  Her, wrapped in her daddy’s arms.

  They stayed that way, wrapped together until Faith cleared her throat. “Time to go.”

  William pressed his lips to her cheek. “I love you,” he said before stepping away.

  Tears blurred her vision as she watched Faith escort her father back to her car.

  “What’s this?”

  Her attention turned to Jacob, who was staring at her finger. She smiled, wiping at her cheeks. “What’s it look like, Detective?”

  Jacob looked from her to Linc and then back again. “It looks like my asshole best friend just put a ring on it.”

  She lifted her hand and wrapped her arm around Linc’s waist. “He sure did.”

  Linc laughed and kissed her temple. “I thought you were going to beat me to it.”

  She grinned, happiness filling her every cell.

  Jacob shook his best friend’s hand. “It’s about damn time.”

  Linc clapped his friend on the shoulder. “Is that what you’re going to say in your speech? Huh, best man?”

  Jacob looked surprised. “So, you’re not doing the quiet thing…you, her, a justice of the peace? I’m shocked.”

  “Hell, no,” Linc told him.

  This was going to be the biggest party Asheville had ever seen. He wanted the entire world to know Kylie Hatfield was his.

  33

  Greg came back to the office of Starr Investigations three days later. His assignment for Impact in Raleigh went even longer than he’d expected.

  “So, what’d I miss?” he asked as he walked in, pulling off his ratty blazer and hanging it on the back of his chair. “Pretty quiet, huh?”

  She just laughed, almost sadistically.

  He stared at her. “What?”

  “Oh, we had a little bit of excitement,” she said with a casual shrug. “Nothing work-related. Just personal.”

  He let out a groan. “Meh. I don’t care about that.”

  “Did you hear about the Colombo family that was cracked apart?”

  “Ye-es,” he said slowly, suspiciously. “Wait. I thought you were on vacation. Don’t tell me you had something to do with that?”

  By some miracle, the FBI had managed to keep Kylie and Rhonda’s names from the ne
ws. So far, they’d only been listed as “victims.”

  Kylie hated that word.

  She smiled innocently and held up her thumb and forefinger a centimeter apart. “Maybe a little.”

  He dragged his hands over his face. He suddenly looked like he’d aged ten years. “What? Spill it, short stuff.”

  So, she spilled. Everything about her whole mafia connection, the reunion with her dad, the hit that had been put on her and her mom, the exciting standoff at the farmhouse. He listened, his mouth partially open, then quietly pushed away from his desk. “I need a drink, but I guess I need to settle for coffee.”

  She stood up and ran to the Keurig before he could get his hands on it. “Please, allow me.”

  She made him a cup, doing her best to flaunt her rock. She wiggled her fingers as she got the cup and put it under the dispenser, hoping he’d notice. She planted it right in his face as she set the coffee down.

  For a private investigator, he seemed blind to what was right in front of him.

  “So, other than you getting roped into the mafia,” he scratched his temple, “and I have no clue how a little girl from Asheville managed that one. Of course, we’re talking about Kylie Hatfield here, the girl with an unnatural gift for attracting all sorts of trouble. But aside from all that, anything else happen?”

  The guy was oblivious.

  She waved her hand around some more. “Well, yes. Something else happened.”

  “Yeah?” he muttered, taking a sip. “What?”

  She put her hand on top of his coffee and pointed to the ring with her other hand.

  “Ah. So, congratulations are in order, huh?”

  She nodded. “Yes. Great big fat congratulations.”

  “Ah. Well, it’s about time.”

  She admired her ring, turning it to catch the light. “He didn’t drag his feet. It was me, never sitting still. I made it really difficult for him to propose.”

  He squinted at her. “You? Difficult? I don’t believe it.”

  She smacked his shoulder. “Doesn’t this mean you need to take me out to lunch? To celebrate?”

  He wheeled away from his desk and crossed his arms. “I’m thinking about it.” Then his tone turned serious. “So, you met your dad, huh?”